Watershed - Little Lemonweir River (LW29)
Little Lemonweir River Watershed

Details

All streams in the Little Lemonweir River Watershed, located in west central Juneau and northeastern Monroe Counties, drain to the Lemonweir River. Many streams drain large wetland and isolated spring ponds throughout the watershed. The dominant land cover in the Little Lemonweir River Watershed is agricultural. In addition, approximately 32% of the watershed is forested and 13% is considered wetland. The majority of the wetlands and lowland areas are located in the upper stretches of the Little Lemonweir River and the South Fork of the Lemonweir River. Grassland is also an important component, covering just over 10% of the watershed.

Date  2002

Population, Land Use

Population in the watershed for the year 2000 was estimated to be 14,374. There are several small municipalities in the watershed including Camp Douglas, Clifton, Hustler, Oakdale, Tomah and Tunnel City. Overall population growth over the past ten years in this watershed is slightly above average.

Date  2002

Nonpoint and Point Sources

Five municipal wastewater treatment plants discharge to surface and groundwaters in the Little Lemonweir River Watershed: Tomah, Wyeville, Oakdale, Hustler and Volk Field WANG. Of these, the City of Tomah discharges treated wastewater to the South Fork of the Lemonweir, Oakdale discharges to a tributary of Allen Creek, Hustler discharges to the Little Lemonweir, Volk Field WANG discharges to the Lemonweir and the village of Wyeville discharges to groundwater. The Hustler Coop Creamery discharges treated wastewater to groundwater. Nonpoint source pollution is a problem in the watershed. As a result, in 1990, the Lake Tomah Priority Watershed Project was funded by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The goal of the project is to reduce sources of nonpoint pollution. The streams draining to Lake Tomah were assessed, water quality goals set for the streams and Lake Tomah, and a nonpoint source control plan was written. The Monroe County Land Conservation Department has implemented this plan for the past nine years by working with land owners to determine how to reduce sediment and nutrients from reaching nearby streams, and ultimately Lake Tomah. Details about the Lake Tomah Priority Watershed Project are found in the Lake Tomah narrative later in this chapter. An overall nonpoint source rank for streams is unavailable for the Little Lemonweir River Watershed since no recent stream data exists. Recommendations to survey many streams in this watershed may enable a rank to be calculated in the future. The groundwater nonpoint source rank is high for this watershed. Elevated levels of atrazine, a herbicide used on corn, has been found in some tested private water wells in the town of La Grange along Mill Creek. Soils are permeable, which allows atrazine to reach groundwater in some locations. There are two atrazine prohibition sites in the watershed including in the town of Tomah adjacent the South Fork of the Lemonweir and the town of Adrian north of Chub Creek.

Date  2002

Ecological Landscapes for Little Lemonweir River Watershed

Ecological Landscapes

The Little Lemonweir River Watershed is located in two ecological landscapes: the Western Coulee and Ridges and the Central Sand Plains. The Western Coulee and Ridges Ecological Landscape in southwestern and west central Wisconsin is characterized by its highly eroded, driftless topography and relatively extensive forested landscape. Soils are silt loams (loess) and sandy loams over sandstone residuum over dolomite. Several large rivers including the Wisconsin, Mississippi, Chippewa, Kickapoo and Black flow through or border the Ecological Landscape. Historical vegetation consisted of southern hardwood forests, oak savanna, scattered prairies, and floodplain forests and marshes along the major rivers. With Euro-American settlement, most of the land on ridgetops and valley bottoms was cleared of oak savanna, prairie, and level forest for agriculture. The steep slopes between valley bottom and ridgetop, unsuitable for raising crops, grew into oak-dominated forests after the ubiquitous presettlement wildfires were suppressed. Current vegetation is a mix of forest (40%), agriculture, and grassland with some wetlands in the river valleys. The primary forest cover is oak-hickory (51%) dominated by oak species and shagbark hickory. Maple-basswood forests (28%), dominated by sugar maple, basswood and red maple, are common in areas that were not subjected to repeated presettlement wildfires. Bottomland hardwoods (10%) are common in the valley bottoms of major rivers and are dominated by silver maple, ashes, elms, cottonwood, and red maple. Relict conifer forests including white pine, hemlock and yellow birch are a rarer natural community in the cooler, steep, north slope microclimates. The Central Sand Plains Ecological Landscape, located in central Wisconsin, occurs on a flat, sandy lake plain, and supports agriculture, forestry, recreation, and wildlife management. The Ecological Landscape formed in and around what was once Glacial Lake Wisconsin, which contained glacial meltwater extending over 1.1 million acres at its highest stage. Soils are primarily sandy lake deposits, some with silt-loam loess caps. Sandstone buttes carved by rapid drainage of the glacial lake, or by wave action when they existed as islands in the lake, are distinctive features of this landscape. The historic vegetation of the area included extensive wetlands of many types, including open bogs, shrub swamps, and sedge meadows. Prairies, oak forests, savannas and barrens also occurred in the Ecological Landscape. An area of more mesic forest with white pine and hemlock was found in the northwest portion, including a significant pinery in eastern Jackson County. Today, nearly half of the Ecological Landscape is nonforested, in agriculture and grassland. Most of the historic wetlands were drained early in the 1900s and are now used for vegetable cropping. The forested portion is mostly oak-dominated forest, followed by aspen and pines. A minor portion is maple-basswood forest and lowland hardwoods. The Little Lemonweir River Watershed has a variety of good quality habitats and rare plant communities that are listed on the state's Natural Heritage Inventory, (NHI), kept by the Bureau of Endangered Resources. These communities include: dry cliff, dry-mesic prairie, mesic prairie, moist cliff, northern dry forest, northern dry-mesic forest, pine barrens, pine relict, southern dry forest, southern dry-mesic forest, floodplain forest, and stream-hard, fast and cold.

Date  2002

Recreational Opportunities

Mill Bluff State Park is located 2.5 miles off I-90/94 just south of Tomah. This park is recognized for its sandstone buttes that rise abruptly from the surrounding plains some 80 to 120 feet. They were once islands in the ancient Glacial Lake Wisconsin. Hiking, swimming and camping can all be enjoyed at this park. The Camp Williams and Volk Field National Guard Base is also located in this watershed near Camp Douglas. Activities on the base are internally monitored and regulated to preserve wildlife and natural habitats within its boundaries. The Department of Natural Resources has also acquired several fishing easements on Class I and II trout streams throughout the watershed.

Date  2002

Wildlife and Habitat

The watershed is also home for a variety of rare plant and animal species including; 1 species of beetle, 2 species of birds, 2 species of butterflies, 2 species of fish, 1 species of frog, 1 species of lizard, 2 species of moth, 1 species of mussel, and 14 plant species. These plants and animals are also listed on the state's Natural Heritage Inventory.

Date  2002

Watershed Documents
Watershed Grants
Grant Details
Aquatic Invasives Education
Date
3/12/2008
Waters Involved
Lemonweir River
Status
Complete

Golden Sands Rc&D: Cbcw Volunteer Supplies: The Golden Sands RC&D Council, Inc. proposes to purchase and administer distribution of handbooks and other materials associated with the monitoring for and promotion of Clean Boats, Clean Water practices at public boat landings throughout the state. Major project elements include: 1) Purchase and distribution of materials, 2) Conducting workshops, 3) Project administration.


Grant Details
Aquatic Invasives Education
Date
3/12/2008
Waters Involved
New Lisbon Lake
Status
Complete

Golden Sands Rc&D: Cbcw Volunteer Supplies: The Golden Sands RC&D Council, Inc. proposes to purchase and administer distribution of handbooks and other materials associated with the monitoring for and promotion of Clean Boats, Clean Water practices at public boat landings throughout the state. Major project elements include: 1) Purchase and distribution of materials, 2) Conducting workshops, 3) Project administration.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2009
Waters Involved
Lake Tomah
Status
Complete

City Of Tomah: Res-Tomah Restoration: The City of Tomah proposes to restore aquatic and fisheries habitat in Lake Tomah in Monroe County. Major project elements to include tree drops, placement of rip rap, establishment of rock bars and revegetation of disturbed areas and islands. Other elements to include monitoring for Aquatic Invasive Species, placement of AIS signage, Clean Boats/Clean Waters training and outreach.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2009
Waters Involved
Lake Tomah
Status
Proposed

City Of Tomah: Res-Tomah Restoration: The City of Tomah proposes to restore aquatic and fisheries habitat in Lake Tomah in Monroe County. Major project elements to include tree drops, placement of rip rap, establishment of rock bars and revegetation of disturbed areas and islands. Other elements to include monitoring for Aquatic Invasive Species, placement of AIS signage, Clean Boats/Clean Waters training and outreach.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2010
Waters Involved
Lake Tomah
Status
Complete

Monroe County: Lco-Shoreland Ordinance Rev.: Monroe County proposes to amend or create a shoreland zoning ordinance that complies with the requirements of NR 115, Wisconsin Administrative Code (as revised effective February 1, 2010) and retain existing regulations that exceed the water resource protections of NR 115 or are specific or unique to local needs.

Project deliverables include: 1. Copies of any fact sheets or handouts created for public hearings. 2. A summary of the comments received at public hearings. 3. A certified copy of the County Board-approved updated shoreland ordinance or ordinance language (if integrated into other codes). 4. Any GIS maps of the shoreland zone or shoreland condition surveys related to the project.

Specific conditions for this Project: The WDNR will be provided electronic and hard copies of all data and or reports or surveys generated as a result of this project.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2010
Waters Involved
Lemonweir River
Status
Complete

Juneau County: Lco-Shoreland Ordinance Rev.: Juneau County proposes to amend or create a shoreland zoning ordinance that complies with the requirements of NR 115, Wisconsin Administrative Code (as revised effective February 1, 2010) and retain existing regulations that exceed the water resource protections of NR 115 or are specific or unique to local needs.

Project deliverables include: 1. Copies of any fact sheets or handouts created for public hearings. 2. A summary of the comments received at public hearings. 3. A certified copy of the County Board-approved updated shoreland ordinance or ordinance language (if integrated into other codes). 4. Any GIS maps of the shoreland zone or shoreland condition surveys related to the project.

Specific conditions for this Project: The WDNR will be provided electronic and hard copies of all data and or reports or surveys generated as a result of this project.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2010
Waters Involved
Lemonweir River -Un Oxbow
Status
Complete

Juneau County: Lco-Shoreland Ordinance Rev.: Juneau County proposes to amend or create a shoreland zoning ordinance that complies with the requirements of NR 115, Wisconsin Administrative Code (as revised effective February 1, 2010) and retain existing regulations that exceed the water resource protections of NR 115 or are specific or unique to local needs.

Project deliverables include: 1. Copies of any fact sheets or handouts created for public hearings. 2. A summary of the comments received at public hearings. 3. A certified copy of the County Board-approved updated shoreland ordinance or ordinance language (if integrated into other codes). 4. Any GIS maps of the shoreland zone or shoreland condition surveys related to the project.

Specific conditions for this Project: The WDNR will be provided electronic and hard copies of all data and or reports or surveys generated as a result of this project.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
3/7/1997
Waters Involved
New Lisbon Lake
Status
Complete

City Of New Lisbon: Res- New Lisbon Lake Water Flow Restoration: The City of New Lisbon proposes to restore the historical water flows from the Lemonweir River under I-94 to New Lisbon lake by realigning the culverts under I-94. 2/26/97 Variance approved to accept costs incurred from DOT the previous year.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2009
Waters Involved
South Fork Lemonweir River
Status
Complete

City Of Tomah: Res-Tomah Restoration: The City of Tomah proposes to restore aquatic and fisheries habitat in Lake Tomah in Monroe County. Major project elements to include tree drops, placement of rip rap, establishment of rock bars and revegetation of disturbed areas and islands. Other elements to include monitoring for Aquatic Invasive Species, placement of AIS signage, Clean Boats/Clean Waters training and outreach.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2010
Waters Involved
South Fork Lemonweir River
Status
Complete

Monroe County: Lco-Shoreland Ordinance Rev.: Monroe County proposes to amend or create a shoreland zoning ordinance that complies with the requirements of NR 115, Wisconsin Administrative Code (as revised effective February 1, 2010) and retain existing regulations that exceed the water resource protections of NR 115 or are specific or unique to local needs.

Project deliverables include: 1. Copies of any fact sheets or handouts created for public hearings. 2. A summary of the comments received at public hearings. 3. A certified copy of the County Board-approved updated shoreland ordinance or ordinance language (if integrated into other codes). 4. Any GIS maps of the shoreland zone or shoreland condition surveys related to the project.

Specific conditions for this Project: The WDNR will be provided electronic and hard copies of all data and or reports or surveys generated as a result of this project.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2010
Waters Involved
Unnamed
Status
Complete

Juneau County: Lco-Shoreland Ordinance Rev.: Juneau County proposes to amend or create a shoreland zoning ordinance that complies with the requirements of NR 115, Wisconsin Administrative Code (as revised effective February 1, 2010) and retain existing regulations that exceed the water resource protections of NR 115 or are specific or unique to local needs.

Project deliverables include: 1. Copies of any fact sheets or handouts created for public hearings. 2. A summary of the comments received at public hearings. 3. A certified copy of the County Board-approved updated shoreland ordinance or ordinance language (if integrated into other codes). 4. Any GIS maps of the shoreland zone or shoreland condition surveys related to the project.

Specific conditions for this Project: The WDNR will be provided electronic and hard copies of all data and or reports or surveys generated as a result of this project.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
1/30/1992
Waters Involved
Lake Tomah
Status
Complete

City Of Tomah: Lake Tomah Dam Operation And Maintenance Plan: 1) Analysis and design of modifications to the Lake Tomah spillway, outlet structure, and earthen embankment. 2) Develop an emergency action plan.3) Develop a dam operation and maintenance plan. Disseminate information to the public by local newspaper, public meetings, and dam plans.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
1/30/1992
Waters Involved
Lake Tomah
Status
Proposed

City Of Tomah: Lake Tomah Dam Operation And Maintenance Plan: 1) Analysis and design of modifications to the Lake Tomah spillway, outlet structure, and earthen embankment. 2) Develop an emergency action plan.3) Develop a dam operation and maintenance plan. Disseminate information to the public by local newspaper, public meetings, and dam plans.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
2/13/1995
Waters Involved
Lake Tomah
Status
Complete

Tomah Lake P & R District: Tomah Lake Sedimentation Management Study: Determine effectiveness of sediment traps to remove suspended sediment and nutrients. Estimate sedimentation rates of episodic storm events within each sub-basin. Estimate suspended sediment and nutrient loading from each sub-basin to the lake basin.Determine water quality in each sub-basin from ground water seepage. Determine the different amounts of available phosphorus in natural and agricultural soils and their impacts on water quality. Determine the relative amount of nutrient loading due toanimal wastes. Prepare a final report which will include tasks 1 - 6 listed above. The grantee will disseminate information to the public by public meetings, local newspaper articles, and citizen summaries. Project results will be reposited at TomahCity Hall and Public Library.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
2/13/1995
Waters Involved
Lake Tomah
Status
Proposed

Tomah Lake P & R District: Tomah Lake Sedimentation Management Study: Determine effectiveness of sediment traps to remove suspended sediment and nutrients. Estimate sedimentation rates of episodic storm events within each sub-basin. Estimate suspended sediment and nutrient loading from each sub-basin to the lake basin.Determine water quality in each sub-basin from ground water seepage. Determine the different amounts of available phosphorus in natural and agricultural soils and their impacts on water quality. Determine the relative amount of nutrient loading due toanimal wastes. Prepare a final report which will include tasks 1 - 6 listed above. The grantee will disseminate information to the public by public meetings, local newspaper articles, and citizen summaries. Project results will be reposited at TomahCity Hall and Public Library.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
10/1/2008
Waters Involved
Lake Tomah
Status
Complete

Monroe County: Tomah Nutrient Mgmt. Plans: The Monroe County Land Conservation Department proposes to provide Nutrient Management Training to six farm owners in the watershed associated with Tomah Lake in Monroe County. As part of this training program, each will develop a nutrient management plan for their farm land. Major project elements to include: 1) Participant sign-up, 2) Baseline soil testing, 3) Nutrient Management Training, 4) On-farm consultations, 5) Analysis, development and dissemination of final report.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
9/29/1995
Waters Involved
New Lisbon Lake
Status
Complete

City Of New Lisbon: New Lisbon Lake Culvert Install. Feasibility Study: Perform a feasibility study to determine the impact of installing five 60 inch culverts on New Lisbon Lake as part of the interstate reconstruction.
1. Conduct an hydrology evaluation to predict flow patterns before and after installation of culverts.
2. Perform a water quality analysis.
3. Predict impact of water characteristics in the lake section to be reconnected as it flushes into the main boty of the lake.
4. Study will be conducted on a mass balance basis and consider the effects on algal populations, sedimentation , and recreational uses.
5. Prepare a final report on the results of the above tasks.
6. Disseminate information on the project results to the public by fact sheet, public meeting, and newspaper article.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
10/1/2008
Waters Involved
South Fork Lemonweir River
Status
Complete

Monroe County: Tomah Nutrient Mgmt. Plans: The Monroe County Land Conservation Department proposes to provide Nutrient Management Training to six farm owners in the watershed associated with Tomah Lake in Monroe County. As part of this training program, each will develop a nutrient management plan for their farm land. Major project elements to include: 1) Participant sign-up, 2) Baseline soil testing, 3) Nutrient Management Training, 4) On-farm consultations, 5) Analysis, development and dissemination of final report.


Grant Details
Small Scale Lake Planning
Date
10/1/2007
Waters Involved
Lake Tomah
Status
Complete

City Of Tomah: Tomah Map: The City of Tomah proposes to contract with the U.W. Eau Claire Dept. of Geography for production of a bathymetric map of Lake Tomah in Monroe County. Major project elements to include: a) data acquisition, b) map development, c) printing and distribution.


Grant Details
Small Scale Lake Planning
Date
10/1/2007
Waters Involved
Lake Tomah
Status
Proposed

City Of Tomah: Tomah Map: The City of Tomah proposes to contract with the U.W. Eau Claire Dept. of Geography for production of a bathymetric map of Lake Tomah in Monroe County. Major project elements to include: a) data acquisition, b) map development, c) printing and distribution.


Grant Details
Small Scale Lake Planning
Date
10/1/2007
Waters Involved
Lemonweir River
Status
Complete

City Of New Lisbon: New Lisbon Map: The City of New Lisbon proposes to produce a bathymetric map of New Lisbon Lake in Juneau County. Major project elements to include: a) lake survey, b) map production, c) printing.


Grant Details
Small Scale Lake Planning
Date
10/1/2010
Waters Involved
Lemonweir River
Status
Complete

City Of New Lisbon: New Lisbon Map 2: The City of New Lisbon proposes to order the printing of 6000 copies of its new map of New Lisbon Lake in Juneau County.


Grant Details
Small Scale Lake Planning
Date
10/1/2007
Waters Involved
New Lisbon Lake
Status
Complete

City Of New Lisbon: New Lisbon Map: The City of New Lisbon proposes to produce a bathymetric map of New Lisbon Lake in Juneau County. Major project elements to include: a) lake survey, b) map production, c) printing.


Grant Details
Small Scale Lake Planning
Date
10/1/2010
Waters Involved
New Lisbon Lake
Status
Complete

City Of New Lisbon: New Lisbon Map 2: The City of New Lisbon proposes to order the printing of 6000 copies of its new map of New Lisbon Lake in Juneau County.


Grant Details
Small Scale Lake Planning
Date
10/1/2010
Waters Involved
New Lisbon Lake
Status
Proposed

City Of New Lisbon: New Lisbon Map 2: The City of New Lisbon proposes to order the printing of 6000 copies of its new map of New Lisbon Lake in Juneau County.


Grant Details
Small Scale Lake Planning
Date
10/1/2007
Waters Involved
South Fork Lemonweir River
Status
Complete

City Of Tomah: Tomah Map: The City of Tomah proposes to contract with the U.W. Eau Claire Dept. of Geography for production of a bathymetric map of Lake Tomah in Monroe County. Major project elements to include: a) data acquisition, b) map development, c) printing and distribution.


Monitoring & Projects

Projects including grants, restoration work and studies shown below have occurred in this watershed. Click the links below to read through the text. While these are not an exhaustive list of activities, they provide insight into the management activities happening in this watershed.

Little Lemonweir River Watershed
Watershed Recommendations
Biomonitoring Toxicity Tests
New Lisbon Lake
Date
Status
WRM should conduct monitoring for the presence of toxic substances in fish in New Lisbon Lake (Type B).
1/1/2010
Proposed
Projects
 
Dam Safety or Removal
Design modifications to Lk Tomah spillway, outlet, embankm.
Date
Status
Analysis and design of modifications to the Lake Tomah spillway, outlet structure, and earthen embankment. 2) Develop an emergency action plan.3) Develop a dam operation and maintenance plan
1/30/1992
Proposed
Projects
 
Develop/Distribute Brochures/Literature
 
Date
Status
10/1/2010
Proposed
Projects
 
Engage Volunteers in Monitoring/Restoration
 
Date
Status
The self-help monitoring of Lake Tomah should continue.
1/1/2010
In Progress
Projects
 
Fish Management, Access
 
Date
Status
An effort should be made to reduce the carp population of Lake Tomah to improve water quality conditions in the lake.
1/1/2010
Proposed
Projects
 
Habitat Restoration - Lake
Restore aquatic and fisheries habitat in Lake Tomah
Date
Status
9/1/2009
Proposed
Projects
 
Informational Meetings
Disseminate information about Lake Tomah Dam plans
Date
Status
1/30/1992
Proposed
Projects
 
Install Kiosk or Sign
Install aquatic invasive species sign(s) near Lake Tomah
Date
Status
9/1/2009
Proposed
Projects
 
Issue News/Media Release
Disseminate information about Lake Tomah Dam plans
Date
Status
Disseminate information to the public by local newspaper about dam plans.
1/30/1992
Proposed
Projects
 
Map Depth of Lake (Bathymetry)
 
Date
Status
10/1/2010
Proposed
Projects
 
Map Depth of Lake (Bathymetry)
Produce a bathymetric map of Lake Tomah
Date
Status
10/1/2007
Proposed
Projects
 
Monitor Aquatic Biology
Monitor biology on WBIC: 1341600
Date
Status
Conduct biological (mIBI or fIBI) monitoring on Council Creek, WBIC: 1341600, AU:13111
5/21/2016
Proposed
Projects
 
Monitor Fish Community
Little Lemonweir River fIBI
Date
Status
AU 948033, poor fIBI, Station 10012170
1/1/2018
Proposed
Projects
 
Monitor Fish Community
 
Date
Status
A fish and habitat survey on Fountain Creek of the section which recently received habitat improvements should be surveyed to determine existing conditions and classification.
1/1/2010
Proposed
Projects
 
Monitor Fish Tissue
Confirm FCA: IW pre-2000 data
Date
Status
11/15/2011
Proposed
Projects
 
Monitor Invasive Species
Monitor aquatic invasive species on Lake Tomah
Date
Status
9/1/2009
Proposed
Projects
 
Monitor Water Quality or Sediment
Monitor South Fork Lemonweir River for TP
Date
Status
This study proposes to re-assess baseflow and events loads by using fixed period sampling.
1/1/2018
Proposed
Projects
 
Monitor Water Quality or Sediment
Monitor water quality in Lake Tomah
Date
Status
Determine water quality in each sub-basin from ground water seepage
2/13/1995
Proposed
Projects
 
Monitor to Evaluate Projects
 
Date
Status
The City of Tomah must monitor the filling of the Lake Tomah sediment trap and dredge the trap on a periodic basis.
1/1/2010
Proposed
Projects
 
Review, Update Use Designation
 
Date
Status
Evaluation of use designation for WBIC 1311600, Bear Creek
1/1/1960
Proposed
Projects
 
Train Volunteers to Do Watercraft Inspections
Clean Boats/Clean Waters training and outreach - Lake Tomah
Date
Status
9/1/2009
Proposed
Projects
 
Little Lemonweir River WatershedWatershed History Note

The Little Lemonweir River flows through the City of Tomah in Monroe County. Founded in 1855 and incorporated as a city in 1883, Tomah residents boast of a proud history. In the spring of 1856, two men, Robert E. Gillett and his son, Robert E. Gillett, climbed to a knoll in the Lemonweir River Valley and looked out over the area around them. Since there was no local history to consider for a name, the two men pondered a Native American legend about a great Native American Chief named Thomas Carron who built a council house where the Menomonee and Winnebago met. The Indian pronunciation for Thomas is Tomah. The two men had heard of chief Tomah's strong character and high ideals, which appealed to them and convinced them to name a city in his honor. One of Tomah's famous residents is cartoonist Frank King, who created the comic strip "Gasoline Alley" and the characters Uncle Walt, Phyllis and Skeezix. Tomah's Superior Avenue is known as Gasoline Alley.

Date  2011